Page 16 of How To Tackle A Crush

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Someone tries again.

“Jack, are you here long term?”

He does not answer immediately.

“I don’t take jobs thinking about leaving them,” he says.

That answer feels heavier than the question.

I am still thinking about that when his gaze suddenly shifts.

Straight to the back row.

Straight to me.

My brain stops cooperating.

Why is he looking at me?

There are at least thirty people here who look much more like sports journalists.

I look behind me.

No one.

This is unfortunate.

“And you,” he says.

I freeze.

This is how horror films start.

“Yes,” he says again, voice calm, almost encouraging. “You’ve been writing things down very carefully.”

My mouth opens.

Nothing comes out.

I knew this would happen. This is why I stay in the background. Background people do not get called on.

“Yes,” I manage eventually.

“What’s your name?”

“Ava.”

“Where from?”

“The Carlisle Gazette.”

Something flickers in his expression. Interest. Not dismissal.

That is somehow worse.

“Go on then, Ava,” he says. “What’s your question?”

I do not have a question.

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